Get silly

Step 1: Make it

What is it?

Expand the range of emotions you can show – jump up and down to show that you’re feeling silly!

How it works

• Like the Emotion badge, this program shows a happy or sad face depending on which button input you press, A or B.
• The micro:bit has other inputs, such as sensors.
• This program uses the micro:bit’s accelerometer input to measure forces and sense when it’s shaken.
• When the accelerometer senses sudden movement the program makes the silly face appear on the LED display output.

What you need

• micro:bit (or MakeCode simulator)
• MakeCode or Python editor
• battery pack (optional)
• some energy to shake, jump or get silly

Step 2: Code it

1from microbit import *
2
3while True:
4    if button_a.is_pressed():
5        display.show(Image.HAPPY)
6    if button_b.is_pressed():
7        display.show(Image.SAD)
8    if accelerometer.was_gesture('shake'):
9        display.show(Image.SILLY)

Step 3: Improve it

• Use different built-in emotions images like MEH, CONFUSED or ANGRY.
• Show another emotion when you press buttons A and B together.
• Add new emotions using the LED display to draw your own pictures like we did in Animated animals.
• The accelerometer can sense other ‘gestures’ such as ‘freefall’ and whether it’s tilted left or right – try them out. Find out more about gestures in micro:bit Python here.